Sunday, May 16, 2010

Stuff of the Day: "More Paperback Covers"

Some more paperback book covers, this batch using the oldest trick in the book to sell them: Sex. Specifically, the fairer sex. These were meant to be tawdry and low brow, but seem almost quaint now. And I should really read "The Mark of the Moon" to find out what's the deal with the smoking, crescent moon wearing guys ogling the belly dancer. "Marked for Murder" (A Mike Shayne Mystery) has some of that classic paperback cover painting skill that was so prevalent then, but has pretty much been lost in the next generation of illustrators. Her hair alone is worth the 35 cents. And the use of red and black with the reversed out type really sets the tone. A tone I've attempted to borrow many times.